My husband is not the kind of person who is prone to buying a lot for himself. He has certain beloved hobbies and areas of interest of course, but compared to most folks in the twenty-first century, he is not a big shopper at all. No, he'll happily pass on purchasing numerous small items here and there on whim, to save up for an investment piece, something he wants, and often sincerely needs, no matter how long it takes. I admire this quality in him immensely, and think it's one we should all strive to embody - at least some of the time.

It had been years since Tony's last really big purchase, and further back in time still since he bought a new camera. The Canon 30D that he had been shooting with since 2006, is a great workhorse of a DSLR, and it's served us awesomely for a long time, however it's starting to show signs of its age and is now somewhat outdated in terms of its technology. Our’s stills works, and will no doubt be used again (especially because some of our lenses aren't compatible with the 6D), but the time had come to add a new DSLR to the family.

True to form again, Tony diligently researched various models in our price range, and spent a good amount of time debating the merits, pros and cons of a couple of cameras in particular before taking the plunge. He - clever and budget-savvy lad that he is - opted to purchase a new camera while we were in Alberta, where there's only one tax (so instead of paying the hefty 12% we get hit with in B.C., he only had to fork over 5% for the tax in Alberta), saving us a nice chunk of the change in the process.

The Canon 6D is a magnificent creature, and we're both ecstatic with it. Though there will be images from recent shoots using the old camera still to appear here on the blog (as they were taken prior to this purchase) in the coming weeks, today I'm thrilled to bring you a lovely late afternoon set of snaps that we took with our new beaut one day recently in the quaint little town of Peachland (which, interestingly enough, despite being en route to Kelowna, a place we visit often, we'd never stopped to shoot in before).

In addition to the 6D itself, Tony also bought some great flash equipment second hand while we were in Alberta, some of which also made its blog debut in today's snaps. We're really pleased with our purchases and love that we'll be wrapping up this year and kicking off 2014 (and beyond) with a terrific new digital SLR tucked into our trusty camera bag.

Tony wasn't the only one had a budget in mind while shopping on the road, I too headed to Calgary with a specific amount of money that I had allotted to spend, and though I pretty much maxed it out, I'm happy to report I didn't overspend. However, as much as our trip pretty much taped me out until the end of this year (I knew it would and was happy to take that approach, so as to have a good budget to work with while in Calgary), I couldn't help but pick up a few treasures at Jardin Antiques in Okanagan Falls (which you may recall from this post last year) just one day after we returned home.

I hadn't been in there for over a year, and they had some really great hats this time around. I'd only bought one new vintage hat during the course of our travels in Alberta, and as that had been sometime I'd expected to find more of, I would up buying not one, not two, but three marvelous vintage hats from Jardin Antiques, my very favourite of which appears here today.

Talk about a stunner, no? From the endlessly classic 1930/40s shape to vivid emerald green hue, there isn't a single element about it that doesn't make me swoon. In fact, this hat has now become my second favourite out of my whole collection (I highly doubt anything will ever usurp my beloved 1940s dusty rose tilt hat for first place). I'd wanted a hat in this shape for years, and was pleased as punch to find one not only in person, but mere miles away from home. I suspect that you will see this particular vintage chapeau many times in future outfits.

Plaid is a pattern that I adore and enjoy wearing all year round, but I feel always feel an extra strong pull towards it come the start of autumn and ever since last month's edition of Flickr Favourites, it's been on my mind all the more.

I don't own many vests, much as I really like them, let alone vintage ones, but a notable exception to that statement is this cheerfully lovely (circa) 1950s plaid number. It's so cute, fits me live a glove, and comes in particularly handy as a holiday season piece in December. Of course it rocks earlier in the year, too, and I love that I now have the perfect hat to partner with it.

Speaking of love, can we take a moment to chat about how seriously darling this great vintage novelty brooch (with matching earrings) from The Best Vintage Clothing is? It's all kinds of cute, perfect for just about any vintage outfit you could dream up, and an especially fitting set to wear during the month (October) that houses our wedding anniversary.

This set was very thoughtfully sent to me as a review product from online seller The Best Vintage Clothing, and I sincerely adore it to pieces. I've always been a fan of vintage novelty brooches that link two pieces together by a wee piece of chain, and the fact that this brooch comes with a matching pair of (clip-on) earrings just makes me flip for it all the more. Talk about the perfect Valentine's Day vintage jewelry set if ever there was one! (And speaking of The Best Vintage Clothing, they're very kindly offering Chronically Vintage readers the chance to win an online gift certificate to their site in mid-November, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled for that great giveaway here in a couple of weeks).

The vintage vet, glorious green hat, and heart shaped jewelry set were the stars of the show here, so I kept the rest of my outfit on the down low. A classic white button front shirt, 1950s pencil skirt, vintage gloves and handbag, two pearl stretch bracelets, seamed stockings, and black faux suede pumps nicely rounded out the early autumn mix.

Both Tony and I are over-the-moon delighted with our new camera. It's sleek, powerful, and very modern (the 6D was just released last winter), not to mention a step up from the 30D. We're really looking forward to taking tons of photos in the months and years to come with it - some of which, I may even force myself to wear a different hat for! :)

98 comments:

Tony is certainly an excellent photographer. I always think the pics on your blog look very professional.Now you may have guessed I have a thing about shoes, and I think these go perfectly with this outfit. I love everything you are wearing, and I like the way it all co-ordinates.

Thank you very much, sweet Tracey, I look forward to starting Tony's Sunday off with your wonderfully lovely compliment as soon as wakes up.

I'm a major shoe fan as well, though I have somewhat hard to fit feet (thanks, pesky super high arches!), so my collection pales in comparison to what it most likely would be, if such were not the case. These shoes, which are comfy as the day is long, have held up great for years, and were a total steal (and which I absolutely lovely) came from, of all places, Walmart. Comfort, fit and price mean more to me than designer names any day of the week. :)

Your husband takes great photos, love all the little details he captures. How lovely that you can enjoy a brilliant new camera. It is nice to save up for a big treat purchase. Now, your hat! It is magnificent! Love the colour, it really suits you. What a great find, it is the star of a very superb outfit.

Thank you very much for your wonderfully nice comment, dear Kate. We have this darling little ritual right towards the end of just about every shoot (we've only forgotten to do it once or twice so far), where Tony says to me, "And which details would you like?", and I tell him things like, my gloves, purse, hair flowers, hat, belt, buttons, shoes, etc just depending on the outfit.

You are magic, dear Jessica and Antonio( is he your husband? ) a true artist photographer.I am more of buying when the item is worth it, but my husband loves collecting things: cars, planes, stamps, old camera, etcHave a lovely Sunday.XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXx

Hello my sweet-as-sugar friend, yes in deed, Antonio (aka, Tony when I refer to him here on the blog usually) is my beloved husband and personal photographer (I actually have a post coming up this week all about the process behind our photo shoots, which I hope you'll enjoy reading).

I heart: Classy and perfectly color-matched outfits. :-)It's so lovely to see how much you care about details, like taking up the colors from the vest in the rest of the outfit again or matching the pearl wristband and the brooch. Cause that's what makes designs or paintings or outfits aesthetic: Having a certain concept and sticking to it! ...Oh no, I hope I don't sound like a weird maniac. HihiAnd as always I admire your super perfect pale complexion. You are such a picture-book fine lady!

That's it--now I've decided I need more plaid in my closet. And vests. And long sleeve button down blouses (preferrably butterfly collar style). I love, love, love the hat. That shade of green is a particular favorite of mine.

Thank you very much, dear Kim. Aren't ruched vintage gloves magnificent? I bought two new (to me) 40s pairs (lilac purple and navy blue) while our or travels to Calgary last month, which I'm sure will both appear here in future outfit posts.

The photos are gorgeous, but I'm sure the beautiful, smartly-dressed woman in them has a lot to do with that. :) I love everything about this outfit, especially the hat. It's the perfect shape and color for you.

Thank you very much, dear Jeanne Marie, it really is an amazing camera (and full frame to boot, as you're spot on there), and I am keep being impressed to no end by the caliber of images it produces (helped, of course, by Tony's wonderful skill).

i know i probably say this a lot but i think this is my new favorite outfit of yours! i love every little detail about it, the novelty brooch is really one of a kind and of course i have a thing for tartan too! the hat is the icing on the cake! you look flawless and absolutely gorgeous!!!kiss,mary

Apropos that you were united with this beautiful hat in Okanagan Falls. On our visit this autumn, we drove down the east side of Skaha Lake and through OK Falls. It really is a village where time appears to have stood still!

Thank you very much, Jennifer. I really agree with you regarding being able to tell immediately that images were taken with excellent equipment (and by a talented photographer). I wouldn't go so far as to say that the difference between our old camera and the new 6D is night and day, but it's definitely noticeable, and goodness do I adore the photos quality that the 6D is providing us with now. Tony is going to be investing in some more photographic equipment soon, specifically items which will better facilitate taking great quality images indoors (where we have next to no natural light to avail from on that front), and I'm really excited about that, too.

I have opened your post today and I almost lost my breath to see your look, dear Jessica! If I had to describe this entire outfit in one word ... it would be divine! Love every thing what aparace here! The beautiful hat, romantic jewelry, plaids vest, gloves ... honestly, you always manage to overcome your previous look! A thousand kisses, dear Jessica.

Every exquisite detail of your outfit is beautifully and skillfully captured! About the camera... It's intriguing how can technology and photographic gear age... but it actually does! It's like the resolution gets gradually somewhat blurrier... You look gorgeous, by the way :) x

Thank you so very much, sweet Alexis. Come the new year, I'm going to start an all out manhunt (or would that technically be a womanhunt? :)) for more fitted vintage vests. It wasn't until I saw this one in these photos (I've worn it many times, but haven't been photographed in it before) that I realized just how very much I adore vintage vests like this and that I want to add others to my wardrobe (which, if I do find them, will no doubt land in future outfit posts here).

YAY! I LOVE your tartan vest AND The hat...oh, the hat....those little bows!!! Love to see the pics from your new camera....we are in the market (hopefully early 2014)...so I look forward to seeing more pics from this camera!! so much fun...

Hello dear Solenn, thank you very much for your lovely comment and question. I cannot actually take much credit for these curls (beyond preserving them as they came, as best I can) because this is a wig that came with the curls in place (ever since last November I've worn a wig due to medical hair loss; you can read more about it, including the exact name of the wig, in case you ever wanted to buy one for fun for yourself in this post: http://www.chronicallyvintage.com/2013/01/new-hair-for-new-year.html) .

That said, in my pre-wig days (more so a few years back when I still had a bit more thickness to my hair), I could get fairly similar barrel curls by using the classic rag curl technique on damp hair before going to bed at night.

You are very lucky to have somebody who can take wonderful photos of you. My dear Sexy Man takes woeful shots where I am missing wither my feet or head...so I resort to the non existent talents of Miss 12....but who takes a far better shot than Sexy Man. What is a vintage gal to do????

Thank you very much, honey. You're absolutely right, I am blessed to have someone to take not just photos, but skillful, terrific photos, of me day in and day out. If I didn't have Tony, I'd most likely just take my own photos with a self timer and a tripod, but I doubt they'd hold a candle to his snaps. It's great that you have your daughter to take your photos. They always look great and highlight your to-die-for outfits really well. Perhaps you have a budding pro photographer in your midst. :)

A very pretty hat indeed. And great with red hair. I love your shoes as well. Somehow your looking a bit like a girl from a fairy tale or a Christmassy girl. Maybe because of the red and green. Your outfit looks simply cheerful.

Thank you very much from both of us, darling gal! Tony is on cloud nine about the new camera, much as I am. The quality of the images it outputs is just magnificent! This is my favourite purchase we've made as a couple since we bought our first (ever) car last year, and much like the car, I know it's going to get a huge amount of use.

These shots are incredible, as is your outfit. I love how your lipstick connects with your gloves in that first shot, really lovely.... and of course the hat, swoon! Speaking of hats, I doff mine to your husband for being such a willing and instrumental participant in your blog; he captures every little detail so well!

Oh yes, also, I'm loving the backdrop for these shots! The flat, flat, flat of this side of the continent has me constantly craving some topography! You've provided me with a healthy dose of hills (and a little wanderlust!).

Hello sweet Esther, thank you very much for your wonderfully nice comment and compliment. You bet, you can borrow him to use as your photographer whenever you'd like. Tony adores taking portrait and fashion photos, and is always game to shoot with new models. If you're ever in or around Penticton, British Columbia, please let me (us) know and maybe we could set up a shoot together.

Congratulations on your new camera. Your pictures are amazing! I love the backdrop and also seeing the elements of a past rain shower is very lovely! We love our Canon too and it is such a worthwhile investment. I've actually told my husband that I'd like him to buy me some portable lighting type of equipment to go with our camera. I'm very curious to know how you implemented your flash into your photographs. Was it stand alone or an add on to the camera? I would really love to take a class to learn more. Has Tony taken classes? He's such a pro:) These are such marvelous photographs! They are all like little works of art:) Did you also buy other lens too? I'm also thinking you might just have a fabulous new hair style too:) Love the hat and the plaid vest is a perfect match! What a great outfit! I'm floored you bought those cute shoes at Walmart. It goes to show you just never know where cute vintage inspired items may show up. Beautiful outfit dear Jessica!

Hello my sweet friend, thank you very so very much for your awesome comment, splendidly nice compliments, and many questions. I'm really touched that you're curious to know so much. ♥

In this instance, Tony held the flash in one hand and the camera in the other, but we are going to be buying stands for our flashes in the near future (as well as more equipment such as soft boxes, beauty dishes, and portable lighting - we have some lights already, but they're, how shall we say, extremely entry level, and we want to upgrade from them asap).

Tony followed some professional photography courses (that he paid for) online, but by and large is a self taught photographer (just as I am), who has been extremely passionate about taking pictures for more than twenty years now (he started out snapping back in the days of film cameras).

We didn't buy any new lenses when we purchased the Canon 6D body, but doing so is another thing we'll be working towards in the fairly near future. Of the Canon lenses we had already, three of them work with this body, and all of our lenses work with both the "old" camera (30D), so we can turn to that for the time being, if we needed one of the lenses that isn't compatible with the 6D.

Aww, thank you. I really wanted a hairstyle that seemed in keeping with this fun 30s/40s hat, so I fluffed up my wig's curls and pushed them forward as much as I could, to channel a sort of Barbara Stanwyck vibe. :)

I love these shoes. In terms of heels, they're my one of the top three frequently worn pairs that I have. They're crazy comfy, go with darn near everything, and are still holding up great a few years after I bought them. I'll be sad one (I hope really distant!) day when they go to the great shoe store in the sky.

Thank you again so much, dearest Joanna. Please feel free to ask further questions about our photography equipment, set up, etc anytime (I can also give you Tony's email address if you'd ever like to chat more about photography with him directly).

Thank you very much, Joanna. Jess has a post coming up really soon about our photographic workflow for Chronically Vintage, but it was written a little earlier in the year, so it doesn't go into detail about our current lighting set up. If CV readers are interested, I’d be happy to write a post about that in the future with some details and behind the scenes photos. I have extensively researched lighting equipment options, so if you ever need any advice, please feel free to get in touch with me and let me know what you are trying to achieve. My email can be found on http://TonyCangiano.com.

This would be so fun to see. The behind the scenes action! You are very talented Tony and I can certainly see a future in photography for you:) I always ohh and awww over Jessica's photographs. I'd love to learn more but I know that this just doesn't happen that you have to take the time to understand the dynamics. I would love to hear about what you have found for the best portable lighting sources. I know that some of this equipment can be quite heavy. I have been following NielvanNiekerk. You might find him interesting too. http://neilvn.com/tangents/ and I was thinking about a "beauty dish" but I don't know if it's too specific. I'll have to send you an email:) Thank you Tony!

Thank you so much, Joanna. You're too kind. I follow Neil's blog and I agree that he has great content for strobists. If you shoot me an email, I'll be more than happy to discuss equipment and techniques. :)

That is an awesome compliment, dear Daffny, thank you very much. It's an awesome win-win relationship for both of us, as Tony has been an avid hobbyist/part-time photographer for many years and absolutely adores taking photos, and I need a personal photographer on a regular basis, so he gets a model and I get beautiful, skillfully taken snaps. It's a blessing all around.

Aww, thank you very much, sweet Chrissy! I wish I could wave a magic wand and clone this exact outfit for you. If I ever see another vest or hat like this online, I'll be sure to let you know (by posting here in the comments of this post).

First of all (oh, but should I put first?! They are all important to me).Outfit.Your garment in this post, my dear, is ever co charming. The hat is glorious, and GOSH it suits your face like it was made-to-fit. As an avid fan of waistcoats, I am biased. But, also, being a person whose favorite coloras are red and green I must say: your waistcoat is the most magnificent, lovely, AWESOME clothing item I've seen in a while.Tony.(waving to say "Hello")Canon is great brand. I personaly own a Canon (bot the moderd pocket-sized and the good old vintage film strip model). My two thumbs up to his choice.

An amazing outfit, as usual - can I admit to being a tiny bit jealous that the lovely emerald green looks so amaxing on you? *lol* One of those colours I love that just doesn't totally love me back - ah, l'amour, l'amour! ;)Really liking the camera, too - your Hubby sounds so much like my Dad, endlessly researching someting before purchasing - or trying to convince me to purchase (eg, the new BlackBerry Z30 smartphone, I think I have all of the stats, parameters, and interesting manual information there is out there. Still love my old BlackBerry Torch, though) Gotta love the time and efforts they will go to to ensure a much loved and used purchase.

How exciting about your new camera! The fabulous quality and depth of these photographs is quite lovely (the backdrop fabulous!) That broach set is simply wonderful, and your overall ensemble a delight!

These photos are wonderful. It must be such a joy for Tony to experiment with his new camera, when he has some a lovely subject! :) I really like the way you have styled your hair here, and the brooch and earrings are just darling! x

Thank you very much, sweetie! It's a total joy for both of us and we are beyond pleased with this (highly anticipated) camera purchase. Thanks! I'm really keen on it, too. I think it goes quite well with this style of really wide brimmed hat.

Thank you very much, sweet Janey. It's really fantastic to discover the many things that we, and our darling chaps, share in common (shopping for Tony is exactly the same way! There's always a million and one things I'd happily buy or like to receive as a present, but with him, it's a small number of expensive, usually electronic or photography related, items).

How cool that you have that brooch as well! If we ever meet up in person (and I really hope that we one day), it would be fun to wear them at the same time for a double set of double heart brooches. :)

Thank you very much, honey. I love this colour palette, too. It really seems to speak of the colder half of the month, which we're already setting foot in, if you ask me (plus the cute plaid 50s vest reminds me of classic Scotch tape packaging, which always comes out in full force for wrapping Christmas presents in the winter).

I've been thinking it's about time for this blogger to upgrade to a DSLR. I've been taking photos with my old point and shoot - which is fine outdoors in the sun, but at night in my house is mediocre. And as you know we are prone to early evenings in our long winters here in Canada. It takes me forever to make a purchase on electronics (yet I can drop cash on vintage like nobodies business! haha!), so I don't anticipate that happening until next year sometime.

Thank you very much, darling gal! I hear you loud and clear there, but thankfully Tony is much more apt (than me) to be able to save up the vast sums of money needed for a purchase like this than I am (I can save with the best of them, don't get me wrong, but I do like to pick some new vintage treasures for myself periodically, too), which goes a long way in allowing us to make investment buys like this new camera.

So true! We have an almost non-existent amount of natural light in our condo (especially when it's not summer), so taking snaps outdoors is usually the best approach (though we are planning on buying more studio equipment in the near-ish future so that indoor shoots will become a lot easier and more professional looking).

Please let me (or Tony) know anytime if you have specific questions about this particular camera or DLSRs in general (Tony is uber technical and knows an impressive amount about the topic).

This outfit is beautiful and, wow, these pictures are amazing!!! Such gorgeous quality (though, of course, a good camera only goes so far so kudos to the photographer too ;)). Makes me inspired to up my game on my own photos. Heh. x

Aww, thank you very much, sweet Andi! At the risk of sounding biased, I completely agree with you, these photos are awesome! I honestly think that the first photo at the top of this post might be my favourite image ever taken of me to date. It's just such a great quality, skillfully shot, beautiful photograph. Much (green vintage) hat doffing to my husband there!

I have never seen a little waistcoat like this before, I LOVE it! The collar reminds me of a sewing pattern by Megan Neilson called the Banksia blouse, I am definitely thinking this is a vintage inspired detail now (I have always liked that pattern). I also wholeheartedly approve of you picking out the green because it works so well with your colouring. An inspiring outfit! (I will also look forward to reading all of the other comments on it, when I sit down for a cup of tea, to see if I can learn more.)

Thank you very much, my dear friend, isn't it just darling - and chic at the same time? That pattern sounds really lovely. I'm a big fan of vintage/vintage style round collars and lapels of all kinds, but don't wear them nearly as often as I should. This post makes me think it's high time I wore the small number of Peter Pan collar blouses that I have more often.

I'm looking for a new camera myself at the moment but sadly the Canon EOS 6D is out of my price range. It does take lovely photos though! I love your outfit here, it's so classic and sweet. The green and red as ever looks lovely with your colouring.

I am absolutely IN LOVE with your hat. As you know green is my fave color, along with pink and anything else that goes so well with green, so I am green with envy as well. LOL! I do love plaid. I have tended to stay away because my Mom has always said plus size women and plaid don't mix, but I've been wanting to break that rule I grew up with...maybe with something minimal like a plaid vest or jacket like you have or a plaid circle skirt?

Thank you very much - I'm head-over-heels in love with it, too (only, perhaps I should only be head-bent-over-heels in love with it, I wouldn't want to risk it falling off and getting damaged if I want all the way over :D). It's my new second favorite vintage hat in my collection and I wish I could find tons like in a rainbow of different colours. Now that I know this particular style of hat works on me, I'll be keeping my eyes peeled for others like it.

I'm personally of the mind that anyone can wear any pattern or colour they like. Proportion (pattern size) and shade may factor in, but with a little experimentation, it really is possible to rock any one that you like. I find small to moderate sized plaids and checks tend to work best on my short, curvy hourglass shaped figure, so these what I stick with personally.

Thank you very much, darling gal! This is, hands down one of my favourite outfits of the year. It seems to capture the changing of the seasons so well, and is filled with some of my very favourite things to wear, such a killer vintage hat, novelty jewelry, and plaid.

Many sweet thanks for both of your wonderfully nice comments this weekend,♥ Jessica

Dear Jessica, I am smitten with you hat and your beautiful vest. OIMGoodness, they are just lovely. Congrats to you and Tony on the new camera! I know I am tickled when my Eric gets something new that he really loves. He loves to save up and wait for that special thing that he wants. I love this post the pictures are stunning. Gentle hugs, Beverly

Congratulations on your new camera,it's fabulous, but way too expensive here in Denmark. And I love your outfit, as always. I love how you match a green hat and red gloves to the plaid vest. So perfect. And that you tone down and go classic on the rest of your outfit, that's just one thing I truly admire about you. I think this outfit would be great for Christmas too, not that you look Christmassy, but the colours would be elegant for December.

Thank you very much, sweet Sanne! It's pricey here in Canada, too, let me tell you, but after a lot of saving it was possible for us, and we couldn't be happier with it. I feel it's one of the best investment purchases we've ever made.

I totally agree, this outfit does sing with the spirit of December and Christmas, without being solely full on December 25th, so to speak, and I love that about it (who doesn't want to feel a sense of the holiday spirit in their wardrobe all year long?).

I'm Jessica, a lifelong lover of all things antique and vintage, especially those from the 1930s, 40s and 50s.

This blog is my visual scrapbook in which I record and share my thoughts on the multitude of sources, people and products that inspire and feed a modern gal's addiction to the past. I also post about the vintage clothes, hairstyles and make-up looks that I adore wearing.

Stay a spell and have a blast as we explore the incomparably fantastic world of vintage history and fashion together.

All images used on this site are credited to their original posters/creators/sources,
however if at any time you would prefer not to see one of your images here, please email me and I'll take it down right away.

PS...I just wanted to say thank you very much for visiting and to tell you that you're equal parts awesome and beautiful.